Digital Texts and the Future of Education: Why Books? A Critique of Mayrath, M., Priya, N., & Perkins, C. (2011). Digital Texts and the Future of Education: Why Books? arterlyMagazineVolum/DigitalTextsandtheFutureofEduc/225855http:// arterlyMagazineVolum/DigitalTextsandtheFutureofEduc/ Israel Butler May 21, 2012 EDET 780

Purpose Create cost efficient educational app for variety of digital devices Abilene Christian University and GetYa Learn On investigated student perceptions of mobile apps as edu. Tool Increase student success rate in Intro Statistics course through mobile tech

Question? Why is a “book” the best metaphor for envisioning this future? ◦ This question symbolizes how new forms of technology could potentially be a substitute for the standard textbook in regards to students comprehending course material.

Birth of an App Research presentations at Connected Summit conference at ACU  Presentations provided convincing evidence about incorporating mobile technology in the classroom  Suggested implementation successfully engages students in coursework  Prompts faculty innovation  In 2008, GYLO and ACU researched educational apps

Methodology GYLO Mobile Learning Platform created Statistics 1 app for Intro Statistics course at ACU Apps features:  Lessons  Quizzes w/feedback  Flashcards  Calculators  Simulations  Glossaries  Formula lists Students used an iPhone or iPod Touch courtesy of ACU’s Mobile Learning Initiative

Fall 2009 Pilot Study Study examined use of Statistics 1: ◦ Evaluate usability ◦ Assess patterns of use ◦ Measure app’s educational effectiveness ◦ Collect user feedback Three online surveys given to 36 students Students perceived app’s interface user friendly Many reported having consistent study habits via app Majority reported heightened ease and motivation to study due to convenience

Spring 2010 Study Study included 25 students and investigated three objectives ◦ Continue to explore patterns of use ◦ Assess student motivation ◦ Test relationship between app use and final score  Students reported using app during downtime at work, on the bus, or in between classes  Same sample group reported to have increased engagement and knowledge of the subject matter

Student Perceptions of App Figure 2

Student Perceptions Cont. Students reported increased motivation to study based on these findings: ◦ Convenience of accessing material on-the-go ◦ App’s Concise and easy-to-understand lessons ◦ Disadvantages of traditional textbooks (weight and length of content)

Students’ App Use Patterns by Grade Figure 3

Fall 2010 Study ACU & GYLO focused on how students reported using app on mobile devices in comparison to the iPad Students used iPhones & iPod Touch for full semester and switched to the iPad during the last four weeks

Students & The iPad Majority of students preferred iPad’s use of app for studying (some attributing preference to devices larger screen) Students also found portability of iPhone and iPod touch to be more convenient.

Conclusion Mobility offers ability to engage learners with anywhere, anytime access New generation of tech savvy students urges educators to implement new technology in the learning environment Urges more interaction in the classroom/hybrid courses Social networking habits of current students is an unrealized opportunity

Problems Fall 2010 study allowed students to integrate use of Statistics 1 app on iPad toward the end of semester Preference toward using iPad app to study could be biased, i.e. new technology. Difference between iPhone, iPod Touch, & iPad had no observable effect on the Statistics app that remained the same across all formats

Focus of Study Create cost efficient educational app for variety of digital devices Increase student success rate in Intro Statistics course through mobile tech Investigate how mobile technology can motivate students to study course material on-the-go

Future Research How does an educational app’s use on different devices effect a student’s performance in the class? What other variable can be taken into account when constructing an app for a different subject such as Chemistry, Physics, etc. in order to achieve desirable results like the Statistics 1 mobile app?

Mayrath, M., Priya, N., & Perkins, C. (2011). Digital Texts and the Future of Education: Why Books? uarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/ DigitalTextsandtheFutureofEduc/225855http:// uarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/ DigitalTextsandtheFutureofEduc/225855